Situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea,[8] it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. .With land mass of 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) and a population of seven million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.^Hong Kong people are so hard working * .

[9].Hong Kong's population is 95% ethnic Chinese and 5% from other groups.^Hong Kong, with a population of approximately seven million, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

^Smog of pollutants over Hong Kong city, no problem, privatize the air space, "not the air" then privatize all of the cities governments remove all taxes, government funded by a extreme limited amount of cash printed by Hong Kong monetary authority free of charge.

^Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

[12].The Hong Kong dollar is the 9th most traded currency in the world.^According to an International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) survey, almost 25 percent of Hong Kong's labor force is unionized.

[14].Its political system is governed by the Basic Law of Hong Kong, its constitutional document.^I am an amateur photographer, learning the basics of taking pictures with DSLR. The photos of Hong Kong are giving me a real sense that night photography is the best way and the hardest way to take photos.

.It has a burgeoning multi-party system, and its legislature is partly elected through universal suffrage.^Polls conducted by the University of Hong Kong consistently found that over half of the respondents favored electing the chief executive and the entire legislature by universal suffrage in 2012.

[16][17].The Basic Law stipulates that Hong Kong shall enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign relations and military defence.^Macau, with a population of approximately 526,000, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and enjoys a high degree of autonomy, except in defense and foreign affairs, under the SAR's constitution and the Basic Law.

^The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong and the SAR's constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the Basic Law), specify that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs.

^Any amendments to the Hong Kong Basic Law regarding election of the chief executive and LegCo must obtain consent (the chief executive), approval by two-thirds of the LegCo, and then be submitted for approval (chief executive) or for the record (LegCo) to the NPCSC. If the methods for selecting the chief executive and electing the LegCo are not amended, then the existing methods shall continue to apply.

Etymology

.The name "Hong Kong" is an approximate phonetic rendering of the Cantonese pronunciation of the spoken Cantonese or Hakka name "香港", meaning "fragrant harbour" in English.^Hong Kong, with a population of approximately seven million, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

.Before 1842, the name Hong Kong originally referred to a small inlet (now Aberdeen Harbour/Little Hong Kong) between the island of Ap Lei Chau and the south side of Hong Kong Island.^"Public service announcements" frequently interrupted news items critical of the government, particularly in the south, where television programming from Hong Kong was available.

The inlet was one of the first points of contact between British sailors and local fishermen.[20]

.The reference to fragrance may refer to the harbour waters sweetened by the fresh water estuarine influx of the Pearl River, or to the incense factories lining the coast to the north of Kowloon which was stored around Aberdeen Harbour for export, before the development of Victoria Harbour.^Victoria Harbour is the most breathtaking stretch of water.

History

.Hong Kong began as a coastal island geographically located in southern China.^Hong Kong, with a population of approximately seven million, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

.While small settlements had taken place in the Hong Kong region, with archaeological findings dating back thousands of years, regularly written records were not made until the engagement of Imperial China and the British colony in the territory.^I went back to Hong Kong for a holiday!

.Starting out as a fishing village, salt production site and trading ground,[22] it would evolve into a military port of strategic importance and eventually an international financial centre that enjoys the world's 6th highest GDP (PPP) per capita, supporting 33% of the foreign capital flows into China.^The rapids divided the Congo trade into an upper or waterborne segment and a lower or overland segment linking the pool with a series of ports along the coast both north and south of the [Congo] estuary itself...The main goods moving over this lower segment were salt from the coast and a mix of three European products: guns, gunpowder, and cloth.

The four big clans were the Liu, Man, Pang, and Tang. .Each clan, and its numerous branches, took up residence in what is today considered the New Territories.^Numerous rival splinter groups sprang up in some territories, and French-supported competitors were established in others.

With scant natural resources and hilly terrain, the indigenous peasants and fishermen survived on the island's few and precious assets until European visitors set foot on the territory and changed its history.

.The area's earliest recorded European visitor was Jorge Álvares, a Portuguese explorer who arrived in 1513.[26][27] In 1839 the refusal by Qing Dynasty authorities to import opium resulted in the First Opium War between China and Britain.^The government's human rights record in Tibetan areas of China remained poor, and the level of repression of religious freedom increased.

20th century onwards

.During the first half of the 20th century, Hong Kong was a free port, serving as an entrepôt of the British Empire.^As a first time Hong Kong visistor my self i now think i did not need to go ; as all i had to do was to look at your pictures.

.The British introduced an education system based on their own model, while the local Chinese population had little contact with the European community of wealthy tai-pans settled near Victoria Peak.^All the Protestant missionaries, and the earliest Catholic ones, based their hopes of success on communicating with the Africans in their own language.

.In conjunction with its military campaign in the Second World War, the Empire of Japan invaded Hong Kong on 8 December 1941. The Battle of Hong Kong ended with British and Canadian defenders surrendering control of the colony to Japan on 25 December.^Hong Kong is the great city of the World.

During the Japanese occupation, civilians suffered widespread food shortages, rationing, and hyper-inflation due to forced exchange of currency for military notes. .Hong Kong lost more than half of its population in the period between the invasion and Japan's surrender in 1945, when the United Kingdom resumed control of the colony.^This site has made me determined more than ever to live in Hong Kong.

.Hong Kong's population recovered quickly as a wave of migrants from China arrived for refuge from the ongoing Chinese Civil War.^Hong Kong, with a population of approximately seven million, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

.When the People's Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949, more migrants fled to Hong Kong in fear of persecution by the Communist Party.^Since its founding in 1949, it has been led by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

^The PRC asserts the Republic of China to be an illegitimate and supplanted entity and administratively categorizes Taiwan as the 23rd province of PRC. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_China) .

.As textile and manufacturing industries grew with the help of population growth and low cost of labour, Hong Kong rapidly industrialised, with its economy becoming driven by exports, and living standards rising steadily.^Hong kong is a lovely p-lace to live in!

[30] The construction of Shek Kip Mei Estate in 1953 marked the beginning of the public housing estate programme, designed to cope with the huge influx of immigrants. .Trade in Hong Kong accelerated even further when Shenzhen, immediately north of Hong Kong, became a special economic zone of the PRC, and established Hong Kong as the main source of foreign investment to China.^And after all i visit Hong Kong every week from Shenzhen, China.

^Macau, with a population of approximately 526,000, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and enjoys a high degree of autonomy, except in defense and foreign affairs, under the SAR's constitution and the Basic Law.

[31].With the development of the manufacturing industry in southern China beginning in the early 1980s, Hong Kong's competitiveness in manufacturing declined and its economy began shifting toward a reliance on the service industry, which enjoyed high rates of growth in the 1980s and 1990s, and absorbed workers released from the manufacturing industry.^Hong Kong flying high again!

In 1983, Hong Kong was reclassified from a British crown colony to a dependent territory. .However with the lease of the New Territories due to expire within two decades, the governments of Britain and China were already discussing the issue of Hong Kong's sovereignty.^China government can do something within the mainland...

.In 1984 the two countries signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing to transfer sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997,[28] and stipulating that Hong Kong would be governed as a special administrative region, retaining its laws and a high degree of autonomy for at least fifty years after the transfer.^Hong Kong, with a population of approximately seven million, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

^The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong and the SAR's constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the Basic Law), specify that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs.

.The Hong Kong Basic Law, which would serve as the constitutional document after the transfer, was ratified in 1990, and the transfer of sovereignty occurred at midnight on 1 July 1997, marked by a handover ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.^I am an amateur photographer, learning the basics of taking pictures with DSLR. The photos of Hong Kong are giving me a real sense that night photography is the best way and the hardest way to take photos.

^The groups's lawyer argued that the principle had gained the status of customary international law and as such had been incorporated into Hong Kong's laws; the government countered that many other Asian countries were not signatories to the UN's refugee convention, which proved the principle had not gained the status of customary international law.

^The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong and the SAR's constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the Basic Law), specify that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs.

.Hong Kong's economy was affected by the Asian financial crisis, and the H5N1 avian influenza, both in 1997. After a gradual recovery, Hong Kong suffered again due to an outbreak of SARS in 2003.[33] Today, Hong Kong continues to serve as an important global financial centre, but faces uncertainty over its future role with a growing mainland China economy, and its relationship with the PRC government in areas such as democratic reform and universal suffrage.^Hong Kong is JUST besides Mainland China.

^On July 11, the secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs unveiled the details of the government's green paper on constitutional reform, thereby launching a three-month consultation period during which the government hoped to build consensus on the timeframe and roadmap for the implementation of universal suffrage for future chief executive and LegCo elections.

.In accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and reflecting the policy known as "one country, two systems", Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region in all areas except defence and foreign affairs.^The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong and the SAR's constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the Basic Law), specify that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs.

^Macau, with a population of approximately 526,000, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and enjoys a high degree of autonomy, except in defense and foreign affairs, under the SAR's constitution and the Basic Law.

[35].The declaration stipulates that the region maintain its capitalist economic system and guarantees the rights and freedoms of its people for at least 50 years beyond the 1997 handover.^Our fourth fundamental argument in the declaration is to the effect that once the world's people are aware of the gravity of the situation, and its true dimension, they will "do the right thing."

.The other half, known as functional constituencies, are directly elected by a smaller electorate which consists of corporate bodies and natural persons from various stipulated functional sectors.^The NPCSC also determined that the current 50-50 ratio for directly elected geographic seats and indirectly elected functional constituency seats in LegCo must remain indefinitely in place.

[41].Judges are appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of an independent commission.^In April Donald Tsang was appointed as chief executive, and the mainland government approved his new cabinet in June.

^The Basic Law stipulates that the chief executive appoints members of the Executive Council of the Macau Special Administrative Region from among the principal officials of the executive authorities, members of the legislature, and public figures.

.The implementation of the Basic Law and universal suffrage have been major issues of political debate since the transfer of sovereignty.^In 2004 the NPC Standing Committee issued a self-initiated interpretation of the Basic Law and rejected universal suffrage for the 2007 Chief Executive and 2008 Legislative Council elections.

^The decision ruled out the possibility of universal suffrage for the chief executive and LegCo in 2012 but explicitly noted that the election of the chief executive in the year 2017 may be implemented by universal suffrage.

.In 2002, the government's proposed anti-subversion bill pursuant to Article 23 of the Basic Law, which required the enactment of laws prohibiting acts of treason and subversion against the Chinese government, was met with fierce opposition, and eventually shelved.^However, the constitutional proposals met with fierce criticism from the opposition.

^The law does not prohibit religious believers from holding public office; however, party membership is required for almost all high-level positions in government, state-owned businesses, and many official organizations.

[18][42][43].Debate between pro-Beijing groups and Pan-democracy camp characterises Hong Kong's political scene, with the latter supporting a faster pace of democratisation.^I really feel hong kong's night scene is the BEST in the world.

Her legal system is completely independent from the legal system of China.[45].Hong Kong's courts are permitted to refer to decisions rendered by courts of other common law jurisdictions as precedents,[14] and judges from other common law jurisdictions are allowed to sit as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal.^PRC authorities do not permit some Hong Kong human rights activists and prodemocracy legislators to visit the mainland.

^These courts handle criminal, civil, and administrative cases, including appeals of decisions by police and security officials to use reeducation‑through-labor and other forms of administrative detention.

.Structurally, Hong Kong's court system consists of the Court of Final Appeal, the High Court, which is made up of the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance, and the District Court, which includes the Family Court.^China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau) .

^The security apparatus is made up of the Ministries of State Security and Public Security, the People's Armed Police, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the state judicial, procuratorial, and penal systems.

[41] Other adjudicative bodies include the Lands Tribunal, the Magistrates' Courts, the Juvenile Court, the Coroner's Court, the Labour Tribunal, the Small Claims Tribunal, and the Obscene Articles Tribunal.[41].Justices of the Court of Final Appeal are appointed by Hong Kong's Chief Executive.^In April Donald Tsang was appointed as chief executive, and the mainland government approved his new cabinet in June.

.The Department of Justice is the government department responsible for handling legal matters, and its responsibilities involve providing legal advice to the government, criminal prosecution, civil representation, legal and policy drafting and reform, and international legal cooperation between different jurisdictions.^Between June and September 2006, the government improved cooperation with Vietnamese authorities, jointly disrupting 13 trafficking networks and rescuing 193 victims.

[45].Apart from prosecuting criminal cases, lawyers of the Department of Justice also appear in court on behalf of the government in all civil and administrative lawsuits against the government.^According to official statistics, 95,052 administrative lawsuits were filed against the government in 2006, slightly fewer than in the previous year.

^Workers who believed they were dismissed unlawfully may bring a case to court or lodge a complaint with the Labor Department or the high commissioner against corruption and administrative illegality, who also functions as an ombudsman.

[45] As protector of the public interest, it may apply for judicial reviews and may intervene in any cases involving greater public interest.[46].The Basic Law, which serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong SAR, protects the Department of Justice from any interference by the government when exercising its control over criminal prosecution.^The law states that the courts shall exercise judicial power independently, without interference from administrative organs, social organizations, and individuals.

^Macau, with a population of approximately 526,000, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and enjoys a high degree of autonomy, except in defense and foreign affairs, under the SAR's constitution and the Basic Law.

.Hong Kong has a unitary system of government, no local government exists since the two municipal councils were abolished in 2000. As such there is no formal definition for its cities and towns.^Hong Kong, I will be there soon!

.Administratively, Hong Kong is subdivided into 18 geographic districts, each represented by a district council whose role is to advise the government on local matters such as public facilities, community programmes, cultural activities and environmental improvements.^I think you can represent the Hong Kong Government for the promotion of Hong Kong!

^District councils are responsible for advising the government on matters affecting the well-being of district residents, the provision and use of public facilities, and the use of public funds allocated for local public works and community activities.

.There are a total of 534 district councils seats, 405 of which are elected, while the rest are appointed by the Chief Executive and 27 ex officio chairmen of rural committees.^In April Donald Tsang was appointed as chief executive, and the mainland government approved his new cabinet in June.

[50].The government's Home Affairs Department communicates government policies and plans to the public through the district offices.^The government supported children's rights and welfare through well-funded systems of public education, medical care, and protective services.

^The distracted and unbalanced President, Tombalbaye, appealed to France for help and a French garrison was despatched, later reinforced substantially and placed under the command of a general, Cortadellas.

[52].When the People's Republic of China assumed sovereignty in 1997, the British barracks were replaced by a garrison of the People's Liberation Army, comprising ground, naval, and air forces, and under the command of the Chinese Central Military Commission.^The PRC asserts the Republic of China to be an illegitimate and supplanted entity and administratively categorizes Taiwan as the 23rd province of PRC. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_China) .

^Macau, with a population of approximately 526,000, is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and enjoys a high degree of autonomy, except in defense and foreign affairs, under the SAR's constitution and the Basic Law.

.The Basic Law protects local civil affairs against interference by the garrison, and members of the garrison are made subject to Hong Kong laws.^Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

.The Hong Kong Government remains responsible for the maintenance of public order; however, it may request the PRC government for help from the garrison in maintaining public order and in disaster relief.^PRC authorities do not permit some Hong Kong human rights activists and prodemocracy legislators to visit the mainland.

^He appoints members of the government and may terminate their functions; he is head of all administrative services and makes appointments to state posts; he promulgates laws and has power to issue regulations; he ensures the maintenance of law and order and may proclaim a state of emergency.

Geography and climate

.Purple areas around the coasts indicate the areas of urban development."^Urban centers develop around the industrial activities and forest resources that local people depend upon are rapidly depleted, he said.

.It is surrounded by the South China Sea on the east, south, and west, and borders the Guangdong city of Shenzhen to the north over the Shenzhen River.^The state, however, is an artefact encapsulating a largely Moslem nomad population in the North and Christian or animist negro agriculturalists in the South and West.

^The principal trade routes were the north-south axis following the valley of the Nile from Sennar to Aswan and beyond, and an east-west axis staying close to the desert along the whole of the savanna belt.

.The territory's 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) area consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 offshore islands, of which the largest is Lantau Island.^Polls conducted by the University of Hong Kong consistently found that over half of the respondents favored electing the chief executive and the entire legislature by universal suffrage in 2012.

Of the total area, 1,054 km2 (407 sq mi) is land and 50 km2 (19 sq mi) is inland water. In addition Hong Kong claims territorial waters to a distance of 3 nautical miles (5.6 km). .The land area makes Hong Kong the 179th largest habited territory in the world.^Hong Kong is the great city of the World.

.As much of Hong Kong's terrain is hilly to mountainous with steep slopes, less than 25% of the territory's landmass is developed, and about 40% of the remaining land area is reserved as country parks and nature reserves.^Too much night light in Hong Kong!

[53].Most of the territory's urban development exists on Kowloon peninsula, along the northern edge of Hong Kong Island and in scattered settlements throughout the New Territories.^Sunset behind the Hong Kong Island .

[54] The highest elevation in the territory is at Tai Mo Shan, at a height of 957 metres (3,140 ft) above sea level.[55].Hong Kong's long, irregular and curvaceous coast line provides it with many bays, rivers and beaches.^The heart of the Congo River trade was the market at Stanley Pool, the crucial transit point where boat transportation toward the coast was blocked by the long stretch of the Congo Rapids.

.Despite Hong Kong's reputation of being intensely urbanised, the territory has made much effort to promote a green environment,[57] and recent growing public concern has prompted the severe restriction of further land reclamation from Victoria Harbour.^Too much night light in Hong Kong!

.Awareness of the environment is growing as Hong Kong suffers from increasing pollution compounded by its geography and tall buildings.^The overwhelming majority were women, although an increasing number of young men were coming to Hong Kong to work as homosexual prostitutes.

Summer is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and warm air coming from the southwest. It is also the time when typhoons are most likely, sometimes resulting in flooding or landslides. Winter weather usually starts sunny and becomes cloudier towards February, with the occasional cold front bringing strong, cooling winds from the north. .The most pleasant seasons are spring, although changeable, and autumn, which is generally sunny and dry.^Detentions generally lasted for several months, although in most cases no formal charges were brought.

[59].Hong Kong averages 1,948 hours of sunshine per year,[60] while the highest and lowest ever recorded temperatures at the Hong Kong Observatory are 36.1 °C (96.98 °F) and 0.0 °C (32.00 °F), respectively.^It also prohibits overtime work in excess of three hours per day or 36 hours per month and mandates a required percentage of additional pay for overtime work.

Economy

Hong Kong is one of the world's leading financial centers.[63] Its highly developed capitalist economy has been ranked the freest in the world by the Index of Economic Freedom for 15 consecutive years.[64][65][66].It is an important centre for international finance and trade, with one of the greatest concentration of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region, and is known as one of the Four Asian Tigers for its high growth rates and rapid development between the 1960s and 1990s.^One of the most horrendous developments that we have experienced in the last 15 years is the dramatic explosion in the global trade of child sexual abuse images on the internet.

.The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the sixth largest in the world, with a market capitalisation of US$2.97 trillion as at October 2007. In 2009, Hong Kong raised 22 percent of worldwide IPO capital, making it the largest centre of initial public offerings in the world.^If the local textile industry could be expanded, it might provide a more reliable outlet for the increasing local cotton production than the unstable world market can offer.

.The Government of Hong Kong plays a passive role in the financial industry, mostly leaving the direction of the economy to market forces and the private sector.^Secondly there is to be a public marketing agency to compete as a buyer in the field against the existing private sector coffee dealers.

^There had been suggestions that this operation should be transferred entirely to the private sector, but the government wants to ensure that the house remains independent of the two large private coffee houses which dominate the market at present (the other players are called minnows).

.Following the Second World War, Hong Kong industrialised rapidly as a manufacturing centre driven by exports, and then underwent a rapid transition to a service-based economy in the 1980s.^Hong Kong is the great city of the World.

.Hong Kong matured to become a financial centre in the 1990s, but was greatly affected by the Asian financial crisis in 1998, and again in 2003 by the SARS outbreak.^Seeing your gallery makes me feel so fortunate living in such a beautiful city Growing up and seeing it changed to and becoming apart of hong kong makes me proud.

.A revival of external and domestic demand has led to a strong recovery, as cost decreases strengthened the competitiveness of Hong Kong exports and a long deflationary period ended.^I am not a native, but have visited HK couple of times, and everytime after I left, I got that deep longing for HK. Hong Kong is my soul.

.The territory has little arable land and few natural resources, so it imports most of its food and raw materials.^The Tio people lived from trade, the manufacture of jewelry, and tobacco growing to supply caravans bound for the coast; they imported most of their food from the surrounding region.

.Hong Kong is the world's eleventh largest trading entity,[74] with the total value of imports and exports exceeding its gross domestic product.^The move was pushed by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as a key measure to reduce imports and to boost exports such as coffee, diamonds, and timber by making the prices of these products more competitive on world markets.

[75].Much of Hong Kong's exports consist of re-exports, which are products made outside of the territory, especially in mainland China, and distributed via Hong Kong.^Too much night light in Hong Kong!

.Even before the transfer of sovereignty, Hong Kong had established extensive trade and investment ties with the mainland, and now enables it to serve as a point of entry for investment flowing into the mainland.^I am now in the Phillipines, a Hong Kong citizen.

At the end of 2007, there were 3.46 million people employed full-time, with the unemployment rate averaging 4.1%, the fourth straight year of decline.[76].Hong Kong's economy is dominated by the service sector, which accounts for over 90% of its GDP, while industry now constitutes just 9%.^I am now in the Phillipines, a Hong Kong citizen.

Demographics

The territory's population is 7.03 million. .In 2009, Hong Kong had a low birth rate of 11.7 per 1,000 population and a fertility rate of 1,032 children per 1,000 women.^Both women and children are excluded from its use, at any rate.

[80].However, the population in Hong Kong continues to grow due to the influx of immigrants from mainland China, approximating 45,000 per year – there exists a daily quota of 150 people from Mainland China with family ties in Hong Kong are granted a 'one way permit'.[81] Life expectancy in Hong Kong is 79.8 years for males and 86.1 years for females, as of 2009, among the highest in the world.^Hong Kong :( i wish i could live there for a few years!!

The remaining 5% of the population is composed of non-ethnic Chinese forming a highly visible group despite their smaller numbers.[82].In addition, there are in excess of 300,000 foreign domestic helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines, according to official figures.^The article also states - "The figure of 20,000 doesn't represent that there were 20,000 hits on the actual child-pornography IP [addresses in that range]," Linton said.

.Hong Kong's de facto official language is Cantonese, a Chinese language originating from Guangdong Province to the north of Hong Kong.^But I hope Chinese can try to become a race with moral, not trying to bring anying bad habits into Hong Kong.

^Three of the places I've been to and have great pictures are Guizhou Province which is close to the Province where some of your pictures were taken, Hong Kong and Beijing where of course I went to the Great Wall, etc .

[85] English is also an official language, and according to a 1996 by-census is spoken by 3.1% of the population as an everyday language and by 34.9% of the population as a second language.[86].Signs displaying both Chinese and English are common throughout the territory.^Can someone tell me how easy it is for an overseas Chinese to get a job in HK? I live in the United States, speak both English and Mandarin, and am willing to take on any job just so I can live in HK for a while.

.Since the 1997 handover, an increase in immigrants from mainland China and greater integration with the mainland economy have brought an increasing number of Mandarin speakers to Hong Kong.^Hong Kong is JUST besides Mainland China.

^I am an amateur photographer, learning the basics of taking pictures with DSLR. The photos of Hong Kong are giving me a real sense that night photography is the best way and the hardest way to take photos.

Education

.Hong Kong's education system roughly follows the system in England,[96] although international systems exist.^The Program for International Student Assessment ranked Hong Kong's education system as the second best in the world, make it first in the world, Eliminate all public schools and the Education Bureau, and eliminate Public rental housing: 31.0% Housing Authority subsidized sale flats: 17.1% Housing Society subsidized sale flats: 0.7% All this is just a start!

The government maintains a policy in which the medium of instruction is Cantonese (母語教學),[97] with written Chinese and English. In secondary schools, 'biliterate and trilingual' proficiency is emphasised, and Mandarin language education has been increasing.[98].The Programme for International Student Assessment ranked Hong Kong's education system as the second best in the world.^I really feel hong kong's night scene is the BEST in the world.

.Hong Kong's public schools are operated by the Education Bureau.^The Program for International Student Assessment ranked Hong Kong's education system as the second best in the world, make it first in the world, Eliminate all public schools and the Education Bureau, and eliminate Public rental housing: 31.0% Housing Authority subsidized sale flats: 17.1% Housing Society subsidized sale flats: 0.7% All this is just a start!

.However, starting with Form 1 students of 2006, all students receive 3 years of compulsory junior and 3 years compulsory senior secondary education.^Sure the filter won't prevent all forms of p2p and whatnot but it's the start.

.Most comprehensive schools in Hong Kong fall under three categories: the rarer public schools; the more common subsidised schools, including government aids and grant schools; and private schools, often run by Christian organisations and having admissions based on academic merit rather than on financial resources.^This site has made me determined more than ever to live in Hong Kong.

^Smog of pollutants over Hong Kong city, no problem, privatize the air space, "not the air" then privatize all of the cities governments remove all taxes, government funded by a extreme limited amount of cash printed by Hong Kong monetary authority free of charge.

.There are nine public universities in Hong Kong, and a number of private higher institutions, offering various bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, other higher diplomas and associate degree courses.^Hong Kong, I will be there soon!

^There's also that word called 'the future' – is some bright spark of a politican going to suddenly then start deciding what we can or can't say to each other on a personal or written level – both privately and in public forums such as this.

^The Program for International Student Assessment ranked Hong Kong's education system as the second best in the world, make it first in the world, Eliminate all public schools and the Education Bureau, and eliminate Public rental housing: 31.0% Housing Authority subsidized sale flats: 17.1% Housing Society subsidized sale flats: 0.7% All this is just a start!

Culture

.Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meets West", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with the culture brought to it during its time as a British colony.^Hong Kong is verry Beautiful place!!

^Very proud indeed of the fact that I was born, brought up (under both the traditional Chinese culture and philosophy and the rather liberal and broad-minded western way), educated bi-lingually, had worked, got married and even gave birth to my son in this wonderful place called Hong Kong - our hometown!

[104] One of the more noticeable contradictions is Hong Kong's balancing of a modernised way of life with traditional Chinese practices. Concepts like feng shui are taken very seriously, with expensive construction projects often hiring expert consultants, and are often believed to make or break a business.[105].Other objects like Ba gua mirrors are still regularly used to deflect evil spirits, and buildings often lack any floor number that has a 4 in it, due to its similarity to the word for "die" in Cantonese.^They were able to elect about 20 Africans to that assembly; while other Africans were elected to a less important but still useful platform of opinion, in Paris - the Assembly of the French Union.

.Hong Kong is a recognised global centre of trade, and calls itself an 'entertainment hub'.[107] Its martial arts film genre gained a high level of popularity in the late 1960s and 1970s.^Hong Kong flying high again!

^I am an amateur photographer, learning the basics of taking pictures with DSLR. The photos of Hong Kong are giving me a real sense that night photography is the best way and the hardest way to take photos.

Also, the government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department subsidises and sponsors international performers brought to Hong Kong. .Many international cultural activities are organised by the government, consulates, and privately.^The meeting was organised jointly by the government and the Comité International pour le Respect et l'Application des Droits de l'Homme (Cirac).

.There are three local and a number of foreign suppliers of cable and satellite services.^If foreign suppliers are feeling the strain in this way, then the payment pressure on local private sector suppliers, who rely heavily on government business, must be even greater.

[109] The production of Hong Kong's soap dramas, comedy series and variety shows reach audiences throughout the Chinese-speaking world. .Magazine and newspaper publishers in Hong Kong distribute and print in both Chinese and English, with a focus on sensationalism and celebrity gossip.^TAMTAM, Hong Kong people speak Chinese, not English.

^Can someone tell me how easy it is for an overseas Chinese to get a job in HK? I live in the United States, speak both English and Mandarin, and am willing to take on any job just so I can live in HK for a while.

.The media is relatively free from official interference compared to mainland China, although the Far Eastern Economic Review points to signs of self-censorship by journals whose owners have close ties to or business interests in the PRC, but state that even Western media outlets are not immune to growing Chinese economic power.^The PRC-71 is comprised of a four transceiver set, each is 100% solid state, & may be combined or operated individually with self contained batteries.

.Hong Kong offers wide recreational and competitive sport opportunities despite its limited land area.^I'm believed that the prosperous continuously of Hong Kong will bring more opportunities to us ,and China will become the most outstanding country in the world!

It sends delegates to international competition, namely the Olympic Games and Asian Games, and played host to the equestrian events during the 2008 Summer Olympics.[111].There are major multipurpose venues like Hong Kong Coliseum and MacPherson Stadium.^Hong Kong, I will be there soon!

.This lack of space causing demand for dense, high-rise offices and housing, has resulted in 36 of the world's 100 tallest residential buildings being in Hong Kong,[115] and more people living or working above the 14th floor than anywhere else on Earth, making it the world's most vertical city.^China is the world's most populous country, with a population of over 1.3 billion people, most of whom are said to be of Han Chinese ethnicity.

.As a result of the lack of space and demand for construction, few older buildings remain, and the city is instead becoming a centre for modern architecture.^The last few remaining in CAR fled back across the Oubangui River into northwestern DRC as Bozize's forces took over the capital city.

.There are many development plans in place, including the construction of new government buildings,[120] waterfront redevelopment in Central,[121] and a series of projects in West Kowloon.^Actually i think Central is a little bit sad since there are really too many modern buildings, everything is extremely clean, but..there are really few people on the streets..nothing to do with Nathan road or Tsim Sha Tsui.

[122].More high-rise development is set to take place on the other side of Victoria Harbour in Kowloon, as the 1998 closure of the nearby Kai Tak Airport lifted strict height restrictions.^You are right - this set of pics will do a great job attracting many visitors from other places!

[125].Payment can be made using the Octopus card, a stored value system introduced by the MTR, which is now widely accepted on railways, buses and ferries, and well as accepted for cash at other outlets.^PRC-25/RT-505; First solid state FM, tactical backpack transceiver, also first to use the now standard 150cps tone squelch system.

[127].Hong Kong Tramways, which has served the territory since 1904, covers the northern parts of Hong Kong Island and is the only tram system in the world run exclusively with double deckers.^I'm proud to be a part of Hong Kong.

[128]Double-decker buses were introduced to Hong Kong in 1949, and are now almost exclusively used; single-decker buses remain in use for routes with lower demand or roads with lower load capacity. .Most normal franchised bus routes in Hong Kong operate until 1 a.m.^The most beautiful Hong Kong picture seris I have ever seen, Thank you ~ .

[129].It acquired iconic status following its use as a setting on The World of Suzie Wong.^Reportedly the set could use any of the following accessories, Antenna, case, carry strap, loudspeaker, microphone, & power supply.

.Travel writer Ryan Levitt considered the main Tsim Sha Tsui to Central crossing one of the most picturesque in the world.^I have been 3 times go there and I have plann again to get back there soon, specially in central HK. tsim sha tsui and the view of victoria harbour!!

^Actually i think Central is a little bit sad since there are really too many modern buildings, everything is extremely clean, but..there are really few people on the streets..nothing to do with Nathan road or Tsim Sha Tsui.

[130] Other ferry services are provided by operators serving outlying islands, new towns, Macau and cities in mainland China. Hong Kong is also famous for its junks traversing the harbour, and small kai-to ferries which serve remote coastal settlements.

.Hong Kong Island's steep, hilly terrain calls for some unusual ways of getting up and down the slopes.^Sunset behind the Hong Kong Island .

.Hong Kong International Airport is a leading air passenger gateway and logistics hub in Asia and one of the world's busiest airports in terms of international passenger and cargo movement, serving more than 47 million passengers and handling 3.74 million tonnes of cargo in 2007.[134] It replaced the overcrowded Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon in 1998, and has been rated as the world's best airport in a number of surveys.^We are the one to build it more than light!

See also

Notes and references

^ This is the official convention employed on the Chinese text of the Hong Kong regional emblem, the text of the Hong Kong Basic Law, and the Government of Hong Kong Website, although "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" and "Hong Kong" is also accepted.

^ Section 3(2) of the Sino-British Joint Declaration states in part, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government."

^ Section 3(5) of the Sino-British Joint Declaration states that the social and economic systems and lifestyle in Hong Kong will remain unchanged, and mentions rights and freedoms ensured by law. Section 3(12) states in part, "The above-stated basic policies of the People's Republic of China ... will remain unchanged for 50 years."

^ The Census and Statistics Department has reported that the number of people identifying themselves as "white" fell from 46,584 in the 2001 census to 36,384 in the 2006 by-census, a decline of 22 percent.

Ngo, Tak-Wing. .Hong Kong's History: State and Society Under Colonial Rule (Asia's Transformations).^Tai-Pan and Noble House , two novels about Hong Kong by James Clavell first got me interested in the Heart of Asia.

Dark blue: Countries and territories where English is spoken natively by a significant population..Light blue: Countries where English is an official language but not widely spoken.^Because the official language of the Central African Republic is French, we will first give the saying in its native language, and provide an English translation below.

.Hong Kong[1](香港 Heūng
góng in Cantonese, Xiāng gǎng in Mandarin, either way
meaning "fragrant harbour") is a place with multiple personalities,
as a result of being Cantonese Chinese with a long-time British
influence.^As of 1985, the Hong Kong dollar is "pegged" to the US Dollar at HK$7.80 = US$1.00, with the rate being able to fluctuate by only 10 HK cents.

.Today, the former British colony is a major tourism
destination for China’s increasingly affluent population.^China’s massive population has always been a major difficulty for the government as it has struggled to provide for it.

.It is
also an important hub in the Chinese diaspora with global
connections to many of the world’s cities.^Beijing opera is a quintessential aspect of traditional Chinese culture and holds an important position in the world treasure of art.

^In 1921, the Chinese Communist party (see Communist party Communist party, in China, ruling party of the world's most populous nation since 1949 and most important Communist party in the world since the disintegration of the USSR in 1991.

.It is a unique
destination that has absorbed people and cultural influences from
places as diverse as Vietnam and Vancouver.^The preservation and development of the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage of Tibetan areas and the protection of the Tibetan people's other fundamental human rights continued to be of concern.

.Yet, this SAR with its cloudy mountains and rocky
islands is mostly a rural landscape.^These people (8.8% of the total rural population) live mostly in the rural areas of central and western China or in the remote mountains.

.Much of the countryside is
classified as Country Park and, although 7 million people are never
far away, it is possible to find pockets of wilderness that will
reward the more intrepid tourist.^How far they can actually go in changing the Chinese people remains to be seen, but they have already gone much further Inthe reputedly individualistic Chinese than most students of China had thought possible.

^But 9-11 has a strange effect on China: because the subsequent 'War on Terror' takes the attention of American hawks away from the People's Republic, Sino-American relations become much smoother and more cordial.

^More Than 7.8 Million Chinese Suffer From Schizophrenia (June 18, 2007, Xinhua) More than 7.8 million Chinese people suffer from schizophrenia and 30 percent of them refuse to take drugs regularly, according to the country’s first survey of mental illness.

.Boasting one of the world’s best airports,
it is the ideal stopover for those who wish to travel deeper into
the Orient.^You know, those guys who run their banks into the ground and still get a bonus.

.It was first incorporated into
China during the Qin Dynasty and largely remained under Chinese
rule until 1841 during the Qing Dynasty, with a brief interruption
at the end of the Qin Dynasty, when a Qin official established the
kingdom of Nam Yuet, which later fell to the Han Dynasty.^The Ming fell to the Manchus in 1644, who then established the Qing Dynasty .

The first Boundary Stone along the Anglo-Chinese Boundary at Chung
Ying Street, Sha Tau
Kok

.In January 1841, as a result of the defeat of the Qing Dynasty
of China in the First Opium War,
Hong Kong became a British colony, under the Convention of Chuen
Pi.^Question regarding China and Hong Kong?

.After the defeat of China in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon
Peninsula was ceded to Britain in 1860. In 1898, the New Territories
— a rural area north of Boundary Street in Kowloon district — were leased to Britain for
99 years.^In 1898, China leased the New Territories to Britain for 99 years.

^In 1860, the colony was extended to include the adjacent part of the mainland (the Kowloon Peninsula); in 1898, it was extended again to include another 1,000 square kilometers or so of the hinterland and some nearby islands (collectively called the New Territories).

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

.When World War II broke out, Winston Churchill, then the British
Prime Minister declared that Hong Kong was an "impregnable
fortress". However, it was only a reality check for the British as
most of their troops were tied down fighting the Germans in Europe,
and Hong Kong was not given enough resources for its defence.^Hong Kong is the only operator of double-decker trams in the world.

.As a
result, after just slightly more than two weeks of fighting, Hong
Kong was surrendered to the Japanese on 25 December 1941, making it
the first time the British lost a colony to an invading force.^On 25 December 1941 the British colonial government surrendered and so its administration of the colony's tax system was temporarily suspended.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

^But on 7 December 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour and, more or less simultaneously, Hong Kong.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

^Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997.

.However, they had lost their aura of invincibility and
could not continue to rule Hong Kong the way they used to before
the war, and all restrictions on non-Europeans owning property on
prime real estate land were lifted.^Why they came to Hong Kong .

.Hong Kong's post war recovery
was astonishingly swift, and within 2-3 months, all post-war
economic restrictions were lifted and Hong Kong became a free
market once again.^Hong Kong's financial institutions and markets.

.After the communists took control of mainland China in 1949,
many Chinese people, especially businessmen, fled to Hong Kong due
to persecution by the communist government.^Crisis and transformation in China's Hong Kong.

.Unlike the restrictive
policies imposed by the communists in mainland China, the British
government took a rather "hands off" approach in Hong Kong, as
proposed by former financial secretary John James Cowperthwaite,
which led to a high degree of economic freedom.^The Hong Kong government accepts that this is so.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

.The massive influx of mainland refugees led to the rise of the
Kowloon Walled City, which was anything but decent — it was a
horrendous convolution of mazelike alleys, utter darkness, cramped
space, and unsanitary conditions (reports claim that dog meat was
served and that unlicensed physicians practiced there).^Most media outlets were owned by businesses with interests on the mainland, which led to claims that they were vulnerable to self-censorship.

.The Walled
City was evacuated and subsequently demolished in 1993, and the
Kowloon Walled City Park was built on the site.^Kowloon Park (MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui or Jordan) Lots of greenery in a busy area of the city.

.In 1984, the Chinese and British Governments signed the Joint
Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong, giving Hong Kong back to
China on 1 July 1997. Hong Kong became a Special Administrative
Region (SAR) of the Peoples Republic of China.^East & Southeast Asia :: Hong Kong (special administrative region of China) .

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

.Under the slogan
"One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong remains a capitalist economy
without various restrictions that apply in mainland China such as
news censorship and foreign exchange controls.^China not unified under any one power.

^Even under the new Afghan government it has remained a problem in various areas of the country.

This Day In Military History... - Page 52 - Armchair General and HistoryNet >> The Best Forums in History14 January 2010 17:017 UTCwww.armchairgeneral.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

This Day In Military History... - Page 104 - Armchair General and HistoryNet >> The Best Forums in History14 January 2010 17:017 UTCwww.armchairgeneral.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In accordance with the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law was
enacted to serve in effect as a mini-constitution for the Hong Kong
SAR. In theory, Hong Kong enjoys "a high degree of autonomy" in
most matters except foreign and defence affairs.^The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong and the SAR's constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the Basic Law), specify that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs.

.In practice, it is
more complex than that: on the one hand, Beijing exerts much
influence, on the other, there are groups pushing for a more
democratic regime and universal suffrage.^We are the one to build it more than light!

.In many respects, little has changed since the handover to China
in 1997. A Chief Executive, chosen by an elite electoral college,
has replaced the Colonial Governor – Beijing’s man has replaced
London’s man.^The return of the colony to China in 1997 entailed very little change.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

^Hong Kong remained a British colony until 1997, when it became a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

.What was once a British colony now looks like a
Chinese colony.^I don't think those French, British, and American protesters especially hate Chinese people or China, they just don't like its government and its policies.

Friends Started to Boycott French Products28 January 2010 0:38 UTChome.wangjianshuo.com [Source type: Original source]

^Things will look like this: French boycott Beijing Olympics in Paris, which leads to Chinese boycotting French goods, which lead to French or European country boycotting Chinese goods, which leads to Even bigger boycotting in China....

Friends Started to Boycott French Products28 January 2010 0:38 UTChome.wangjianshuo.com [Source type: Original source]

^Now it looks like the dead-locked negotiations will be dropped altogether.

.Although “part of China”, Hong Kong operates like a
tiny country with its own currency, laws, international dialling
code, police force, border controls and the like.^The China international phone code is 86.

It is also a
member of international organisations that are normally restricted
to sovereign states such as the WTO, APEC and the IOC.

People

.The majority of Hong Kong's population are Han Chinese (95%),
mostly of Cantonese ancestry, though there are also sizeable
numbers of other Chinese groups such as Chiuchao (Teochews),
Shanghainese and Hakkas.^The other Hong Kong report 1995.

.The largest groups of recent,
non-Chinese, immigrants are Filipinos, Indonesians and Thais, of
which most are employed as domestic help.^The number of class action suits against polluters is also growing, and with the help of Chinese environmental groups and lawyers, some pollution victims are winning their cases.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

.Hong Kong can be a
little chilly in the winter (10°C) and hot and humid in the summer
(33°C).^As of 1985, the Hong Kong dollar is "pegged" to the US Dollar at HK$7.80 = US$1.00, with the rate being able to fluctuate by only 10 HK cents.

.The best times of year to visit are thus, spring
(March-May), when the average temperature is around 25°C and autumn
(September-December).^By the time the average person reaches age 70, he or she will have spent the equivalent of 7 to 10 years watching television.

American Culture -- A Warning for China19 January 2010 8:49 UTCwww.urielw.com [Source type: Original source]

^The numbers showed that the homicide rate for children in the United States is now five times higher than the average for the other 25 countries.

American Culture -- A Warning for China19 January 2010 8:49 UTCwww.urielw.com [Source type: Original source]

^After all, if someone keeps telling you for nine years that something stinks, you might want to take the time to sniff around a bit.

NYT Op-Eds: End of the Financial World As We Know It / How to Repair a Broken Financial World - Boing Boing15 September 2009 4:04 UTCfeeds.boingboing.net [Source type: General]

NYT Op-Eds: End of the Financial World As We Know It / How to Repair a Broken Financial World - Boing Boing28 January 2010 0:38 UTCwww.boingboing.net [Source type: General]

.Christmas in Hong Kong can be a delight with
a fair chance of mild sunny weather that will appeal to those
coming from colder northern climates.^Those pictures give me a thought of going back to Hong Kong from Toronto.

Warning! this will scare sheeple and some truthers [Archive] - David Icke's Official Forums14 January 2010 17:017 UTCwww.davidicke.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^In some respects, Hong Kong's public services are not as extensive as those to be found in comparably affluent western societies.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

Hotels experience peak
occupancy in the months of April and October. .Typhoons usually
occur between June and September and can bring a halt to local
business activities for a day or less.^DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: The southeast coast of China is vulnerable to strong typhoons, usually from July to September.

.The weather in winter is
usually caused by the winter monsoon which brings dry cold winds
from the north.^There was some wind and a little rain – but nothing that should cause a major sea port any issues… There was another storm this weekend that went north over Taiwan.

In winter the air can be cold but the sun can still
burn. .Expect winter temperatures to rise to 22°C on sunny days and
fall to under 10°C at night, especially when in mountainous areas.^Net imports are expected to rise to 3.5 million barrels (560,000 m³) per day by 2010.

.Although most buildings in Hong Kong have air-conditioning to
cope with the summer weather, winter heating is something of a
novelty.^Over the last 50 years, Hong Kong became one of the most successful cities in the world; and for the British its last (and most profitable) major colony in the Pacific Rim.

.During the coldest days, the lack of heating and thermal
insulation can be a challenge, especially at bath time.^The severity of Internet content control also fluctuates during different time periods, especially those buffering politically sensitive events.

.However, unlike Christmas in Europe where you can hardly find shops
open on this big day, you can still get food and daily products
easily during the Lunar New Year period.^At the rates of demand it experiences, the system has historically been subject to overcrowding during travel seasons such as Chunyun during the Chinese New Year .

.The week or two leading up
to the Chinese New Year as well as the period just after the third
day up to the fifteenth day are good times to soak up the festive
mood and listen to Chinese New Year songs being played in the
shops.^Two weeks news .

This festival in Spring is also known as grave sweeping day. .To
show respect to the deceased, family members go to the grave of
their ancestors to sweep away leaves and remove weeds around the
grave area.^Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

In the
past the festival has involved competitions with people climbing
bun towers to snatch buns. After the unfortunate collapse of a bun
tower in 1978, due to an overload of people, the competition was
abandoned. It was resumed again in 2005 with better safety
measures.

Tuen Ng Festival (端午節)

.This is a festival in memory of a national hero from the Spring
and Autumn Period of Chinese history.^The Three Kingdoms Three Kingdoms, period of Chinese history from 220 to 265, after the collapse of the Han dynasty.

.Dragon boat races are
typically held during this festival and glutinous rice dumplings,
usually with pork fillings, are eaten by many.^The popular Chinese dragon boat racing (龙舟) occurs during the Dragon Boat Festival .

This festival runs throughout the seventh month of the Chinese
calendar. .It is believed that the gates of hell open during this
period and hungry ghosts are allowed to roam freely into our world.^We’ve been viewed by the wider world with mistrust and suspicion on other matters, but on the subject of money even our harshest critics have been inclined to believe that we knew what we were doing.

NYT Op-Eds: End of the Financial World As We Know It / How to Repair a Broken Financial World - Boing Boing15 September 2009 4:04 UTCfeeds.boingboing.net [Source type: General]

NYT Op-Eds: End of the Financial World As We Know It / How to Repair a Broken Financial World - Boing Boing28 January 2010 0:38 UTCwww.boingboing.net [Source type: General]

^Companies that make brands previously found with DEG will have to prove the toothpaste is free of the chemical before it’s allowed into the U.S., the FDA said.

^They are the enemy of labor, they are the enemy of the environment, they are the enemy of democracy, they are the enemy of a "free market" if you believe in such a thing, they are the enemy of our great-grandparents and our great-grandchildren.

NYT Op-Eds: End of the Financial World As We Know It / How to Repair a Broken Financial World - Boing Boing15 September 2009 4:04 UTCfeeds.boingboing.net [Source type: General]

NYT Op-Eds: End of the Financial World As We Know It / How to Repair a Broken Financial World - Boing Boing28 January 2010 0:38 UTCwww.boingboing.net [Source type: General]

.Though not a public holiday, this is the time where one can see
many people perform various rites to appease the wandering ghosts,
such as offering food and burning joss paper.^And, for many, it’s the number one performance issue.

^(The USA and Britain, unfortunately, are the home of many of the worst loudmouthed protesters, though not the majority of people.

Friends Started to Boycott French Products28 January 2010 0:38 UTChome.wangjianshuo.com [Source type: Original source]

^There's roughly 90 million people here in America who are armed with various sorts of pistols, shotguns and rifles and the ammunition to feed each and every one of them.

Invasion of the US mainland by China - AR15.COM14 January 2010 17:017 UTCwww.ar15.com [Source type: General]

.One can also see
traditional performances such as Chinese opera which are held to
appease these ghosts.^Beijing opera is a quintessential aspect of traditional Chinese culture and holds an important position in the world treasure of art.

Moon cakes which contain lotus seed paste and duck egg
yolks are a popular delicacy. .Many Western people will find the
traditional mooncake hard to appreciate, so you might like to try
the ice-cream version as well.^Try it and you will like the world better.

.Is a day also known as Autumn Remembrance, which is similar to
Ching Ming in spring, where families visit the graves of their
ancestors to perform cleansing rites and pay their respects.^On the 28 th we will drive to Owensboro for two days of doctor appointments and visit with our Church Family.

.As the
weather cools down during this part of the year, hiking is a good
activity to do during this holiday.^It's been vacant for years, and for good reason: it's falling apart and ought to be knocked down.

.For young adults and teenagers, Ocean Park is the place
to be for Halloween fun.^Ocean Park (MTR: Admiralty, take the Citybus direct to Ocean Park) [Fares as of September 1993] Admission: $140 for adults, $70 for children.

The city is adorned
using traditional Western Christmas decorations. .Many shopping
centres, such as Pacific Place, offer ample opportunities for
children to meet Santa.^It's wonderful place, and offers so many photo opportunities.

.Most shops and restaurants remain open
throughout Christmas.^After a 20-minute ride we arrived at a harbor that was dotted with a series of open-air seafood restaurants, most of which were packed with diners.

.Hundreds of thousands of people out
on the streets to celebrate the New Year is truly an unforgettable
time.^We spent our own salaries and free time to gather the information and publish it on these websites, in total valuing hundreds of thousands of dollars of professional time.

.There are all-night services on the MTR, night-buses, and of
course, many taxis.^After all that’s what they do in China and of course there would be no other way to prevent workers forming unions to protect pay and working conditions.

^People there are different, of course; but what's surprising is that in many respects they're all different in the same way .

American Culture -- A Warning for China19 January 2010 8:49 UTCwww.urielw.com [Source type: Original source]

.Fireworks go off on the harbour front, which a
lot of people attend to watch on both sides of the harbour: Tsim
Sha Tsui (Kowloon side) and Central (Hong Kong Island).^Just walk over the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Kowloon.

.Many people dress up and attend private parties and others
flock to the streets to enjoy the atmosphere.^Nine hundred years ago, the Normans set up a system of bosses and servants in the south; but in the north people were more equal and had to work with each other.

American Culture -- A Warning for China19 January 2010 8:49 UTCwww.urielw.com [Source type: Original source]

^ENGLISH TEACHERS/SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Many U.S. citizens have enjoyed their teaching experience in China; others have encountered significant problems.

Drinking alcohol on the street is uncommon. .So visitors who
drink should moderate their behaviour or risk being screened out by
the police as the only drunks in the crowd.^But lest anyone feel that Rochdale’s BME strategy is being unfairly spotlighted, it is by far from the only entrant in this increasingly crowded field.

^The "West-to-East Electricity Transmission" project is in full swing, involving hydropower and coal resources in western China and the construction of new power transmission channels to deliver electricity to the east.

Invasion of the US mainland by China - AR15.COM14 January 2010 17:017 UTCwww.ar15.com [Source type: General]

.A memoirs of Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong.^That's why it was sadly unsurprising to see Hong Kong's current leader, Donald Tsang, last month declare the death of the policy on which the territory's prosperity was built.

.A well-written book that offers an insight into
colonial life in Hong Kong through the eyes of a young English boy.^In a recent survey released August 8, 1993, life expectancies for both men and women in Hong Kong are ranked third worldwide.

In this a well-written
and detailed overview of the territory by a noted Welsh travel
writer. .Morris alternates chapters on Hong Kong's history with
descriptions of its geography, economy, politics and society.^Posted: August 28, 2007 Description: Tournage à Hong Kong pour Peugeot.

.The World of Suzie Wong A classic novel
published in 1957, later adapted to film in 1961. Set in Hong Kong,
it is the fictional story of a young expat's romance with a Chinese
woman.^Hong Kong is the great city of the World.

When to visit

.Weather— For those who are seeking warm, dry
and sunny weather, the ideal time is October to December.^Time will tell who is correct but the scientific literature is not on the side of those arguing against human induced climate change.

.Those who
are wanting to escape the humidity of tropical climates will
appreciate the cooler months of January to March.^It only benefits those people who want to provoke hatred and conflict for more war.

Where exactly are the "A terror group with links to al Qaeda in Iraq" [Archive] - SignOnSanDiego Forums14 January 2010 17:017 UTCforum.signonsandiego.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^The conference ended Monday evening so an extra day was left on Tuesday for those who wanted to purchase a guided tour of the Forbidden City.

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

^Time will tell who is correct but the scientific literature is not on the side of those arguing against human induced climate change.

.The humidity is typically high in the spring and worse in
the summer, when high temperatures (usual maximum of 32-34°C) are
often recorded.^Ecologically this is a region of high temperatures, high humidity, dense forest vegetation, and seasonally variable rainfall.

.Events — During Chinese New Year, whilst there
are some extra celebratory events such as a lion dances, fireworks,
and parades, many shops and restaurants are closed for three to
five days.^The event was closed to Chinese and foreign journalists.

^Accordingly, during the past year, the Chinese have argued with vigor that: (a) the unchanged andnature of "imperialism" will inevitably breed new wars as the imperialist nations are pressed to the wall; (b> serious negotiation with the West is foolhardy.

^In this instance, higher Party officials issued an apology (from the Henan province chief of public security), compensated Wang for his eight days in detention, and fired the local Party secretary and punished three other officials.

Culture lovers will be able to feast on a multitude of cultural
activities from February to April. .The Hong Kong Arts Festival, a
month-long festival of international performances, is held in
February and March.^That's why it was sadly unsurprising to see Hong Kong's current leader, Donald Tsang, last month declare the death of the policy on which the territory's prosperity was built.

.The Man Literary Festival, a two-week English
language festival with international writers as guests, is held in
March.^Thus, two weeks ago we worked 7 days to afford us a 7-day holiday celebrating the Golden Festival.

Rugby fans, and those wishing to party, should come during the
weekend of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens [2]

.There is a second round of cultural activities in the autumn
lasting till the end of the year.^Sorry - There is nothing Obama could do to the courts, the cabinet or the budget - that compares with the last 8 years.

.Christmas is also a nice time to visit as many stores and
shopping centres are nicely decorated and the festive mood is
apparent across the city.^I had the great pleasure of visiting your great city back in 1970 for a few weeks, your shots bring back many happy memories thank you indeed.

.The northern part of
the Island is densely populated with people and structures.^If people keep quiet about holes in the concept, that just makes it easier for vendors to sell it to the government, and for the government to sell it to the less IT literate part of the population.

.The southern section has a less populated, more
leisurely feel, with beautiful beaches and luxury residential
complexes housing the territory's richest.^A country with a more educated population is also known to have less poverty.

^Sections of the RDA operated more or less effectively in nearly all of the continental French territories [but was very weak in the CAR] in the decade from 1946 to 1956 under varying degrees of repression by the French administration.

.Kowloon
(九龍)
the peninsula jutting south towards Hong Kong Island from the Asian
continent.^By the eviction of the Japanese, Stalin would pre-empt any western presence in the North Asian contineent and seize the entire Sakhalin peninsula and Kurile Islands from Japan [8-174].

.Nathan Road runs up the spine of Kowloon, a street once
famously known as the Miracle Mile for its dense highrises,
shopping, hotels, wall-to-wall people and an explosion of neon
lights.^The battle to stamp out smoking may go a step further, with a government-backed advisory group proposing bans on people lighting up in the street in certain areas and on the depiction of smoking in films.

.Kowloon literally means nine dragons and refers to
the eight hills that were once visible before the skyscrapers took
the view away.^"He was referring to relations between Reagan-Bush and Saddam circa 1987, so i don't when you mean by 'before'.

Where exactly are the "A terror group with links to al Qaeda in Iraq" [Archive] - SignOnSanDiego Forums14 January 2010 17:017 UTCforum.signonsandiego.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^He was referring to relations between Reagan-Bush and Saddam circa 1987, so i don't when you mean by 'before'.

Where exactly are the "A terror group with links to al Qaeda in Iraq" [Archive] - SignOnSanDiego Forums14 January 2010 17:017 UTCforum.signonsandiego.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Legend has it that the ninth dragon was the boy
emperor who counted the hills.

.New
Territories (新界)
named by British officials when leased from the Chinese government
in 1898, the New Territories contain a curious mix of small farms,
villages, industrial installations, mountainous country parks and
towns that have populations the size of some cities.^I agree some Tibetans are not with the Chinese government.

Friends Started to Boycott French Products28 January 2010 0:38 UTChome.wangjianshuo.com [Source type: Original source]

^The contents of a top secret report on the likely consequences of the anti-missile program were leaked to the news media, confirming numerous public statements by Chinese and Russian government officials that they would deploy more missiles.

^This town (population: 100,000) at the edge of the feared Lop desert was originally at the extreme western border of the Chinese empire — its name means “Blazing Beacon” — and the Great Wall was extended to here.

.Most of the
New Territories is rural and provides a surprising green
alternative to an over-urbanised Hong Kong.^That's why it was sadly unsurprising to see Hong Kong's current leader, Donald Tsang, last month declare the death of the policy on which the territory's prosperity was built.

.Outlying Islands (離島)
the 234 other islands in the territory ranging from significant
population centres to rocks poking out of the sea.^A territorial dispute with its Southeast Asian neighbors over islands in the South China Sea remains unresolved, as does another dispute in the East China Sea with Japan.

CF&P Foundation Prosperitas, March 2007: The Hong Kong Tax System -- Key Features and Lessons for Policy Makers3 February 2010 15:55 UTCwww.freedomandprosperity.org [Source type: Original source]

.This means that unlike the mainland, most
Western and Asian visitors do not need to obtain visas in advance.^However, nationals from some countries will need to obtain a visa, please refer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for more information.

.When entering Hong Kong, Macau residents may
enter using their identity card while PRC citizens residing in
China need to apply for a separate visit permit, except when
transiting Hong Kong to a third country (or vice-versa) where a
visa-free access is granted for up to 7 days.^Hong Kong Nationals from most countries are not required to have visas for transiting in Hong Kong.

.Holder of ROC
passport, if having a "Taibaozheng" (Entry permit for ROC citizens
to Mainland China), can be granted visa-free access for 7 days.^China entry visa is not required for citizens of United States.

.Detailed visa
requirements are available from the Immigration Department [3] .^However, nationals from some countries will need to obtain a visa, please refer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for more information.

.Those
who require visas should apply for one at a Chinese embassy, but
note that the Hong Kong visa has to be applied for separately from
the mainland Chinese one.^One of the many beaches in Hong Kong.

.Anyone arriving at Hong Kong
International Airport who requires an onward visa for mainland
China, will find a kiosk in the foyer in the arrivals area that
issues them.^Hong Kong Nationals from most countries are not required to have visas for transiting in Hong Kong.

A photograph will be required and the staff will be
happy to accommodate you.

.Note that leaving the mainland for Hong Kong is considered to be
leaving China, so you should apply for a multiple entry visa if you
wish to enter Hong Kong, then re-enter mainland China.^Where bouts are you moving in Hong Kong?

By plane

Hong Kong International
Airport

.Hong Kong International Airport [4] (IATA: HKG; ICAO: VHHH) which is
also known as Chek Lap Kok 赤鱲角 (named after the
small island it was built over), is the main port for visitors to
Hong Kong by air.^It is where the new international airport will be built.

.Designed by architect Sir Norman Foster, this
modern and efficient building opened in July 1998 and has since
been named "World's Best Airport" by Skytrax five times
annually.^It is the first time since the H-2B visa program began 14 years ago that the annual limit has been reached, and the reasons are disputed...

.Most major cities in Oceania, Europe and North
America are all served with at least one daily flight, and flights
between Hong Kong and other major Asian cities are also frequent.^One of the many beaches in Hong Kong.

.For destinations within China, it is often cheaper to fly from Shenzhen than from Hong Kong,
as flights between the mainland and Hong Kong are considered to be
international flights and priced accordingly.^Hong Kong is JUST besides Mainland China.

.There are two terminals, creatively called T1 and T2. Signs on
approach to the airport by car/taxi list the terminals and check-in
zones.^A few minutes later I got a call from my tour guide who confirmed that I would have to take a taxi to the domestic airport to the west.

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

.The station is located between the two terminals, so follow
the signs when you exit the station.^Take the escalator up to the elevated sidewalk and follow the signs to Exchange Square, where the Canadian Consulate is located (One Exchange Square, 11th-14th Floor).

.Once checked-in, you can clear
security at either terminal with an underground shuttle bus outside
the security area.^The characters you type in the security check must match the characters in the picture or audio.

.There are probably more shopping opportunities
before security at T2, but its shops close earlier.^I've gathered there is probability of eboli virus in tainted in the vaccine (not the tami flu that is before the vaccine for what ever strain there is) and CDC wants to do their own cleanup.

^When crossing the streets I tried to stay in the middle of groups of pedestrians, who were probably more street-wise than I (and who would be hit before me if I stayed in the middle).

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

.There are lots
of shopping opportunities after security as well.^Well like a lot of things on Web 2.0, theres no money involved, just your pride in your work and the opportunity to have that pride vindicated and acknowledged publicly in short a platform to show the world how good you are!

Warning! this will scare sheeple and some truthers [Archive] - David Icke's Official Forums14 January 2010 17:017 UTCwww.davidicke.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^Naturally, we were given lots of time in the large, well-staffed shop before going to dinner upstairs.

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

.Travellers will
find an efficient post office in the airport, providing boxes,
wrapping material, scissors and tape.^Airport Ticketing Passengers are advised to book and purchase their air tickets in advance through their travel agent(s) or at the Ticketing Office of Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways.

^Notice of material changes will be posted on the Site's homepage and/or will be provided by e-mailing you or notifying you upon login about these changes; the form of such notice is at our discretion.

.There is a manned left luggage facility in the arrival hall,
perfect for securely storing your luggage at the airport, for
around $55-$80 per day (depending on duration).^I would make starting wages around $80,000 and high-end salaries around $130,000 (depending on the type of education that the teacher got).

.Overall, services at Chek Lap Kok are generally better, or on
par, with those at other major international airports.^Much better than those postcard sell in hong kong bookstores , but maybe you could try the other theme like festivals in hong kong ......

.The clean, comfortable and efficient train
departs every 12 minutes and takes approximately 23 minutes to
reach Hong Kong station.^An alternative take on what happened during the WTO protests in Hong Kong, December 2005.

^A round trip ticket costed ¥80 without an airline ticket and ¥40 for those having an airline ticket.

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

^I think the pedestrian tunnel has been replaced by the "Sightseeing Tunnel" costing ¥30 for a one-way trip (¥40, return).

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

.If you buy your ticket from a machine
you will have to pay the standard fare, however, if you travel with
other people you can get a discount from the staff at the counter.^I don't know where people buy their tickets.

A TRIP TO CHINA19 January 2010 8:49 UTCbenbest.com [Source type: Original source]

^Yes, I had to teach her you cannot say "my girlfriend" if you refer to a she-friend of yours, because people can understand (if you are a woman) that she's your lover and both are lesbians.

.Around half of the trip will be underground
and some of the "above-ground" travel is through "covered"
tracks.^Yes this opinion also due to some truth, because its so obvious that, the sun the moon..., travel around us.

Friends Started to Boycott French Products28 January 2010 0:38 UTChome.wangjianshuo.com [Source type: Original source]

^There were reports that some academics faced travel restrictions around the year's sensitive anniversaries, particularly the June 4 anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The Airport Express Tourist Transport Pass
gives you an Octopus card (see Get around) which is good for three days of
unlimited MTR travel, plus one ride on the Airport Express (for
$220) or two (for $300).

.In effect, you're paying $70 for three
days on the MTR, which is a fair bit of travel but might be worth
it if you're planning to visit Lantau Island or the New
Territories.^You simply pay a fixed amount for a chip card which operates the machine, and when you’re done you get the remainder back in cash.